MAC Recollection Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick ($20.00 for 0.17 fl. oz.) is described as an “intense bright violet.” It’s a slightly brightened, medium-dark violet purple with subtle, cool fuchsia undertones and a matte finish. It had mostly opaque color coverage with a smooth, matte finish. It applied evenly for the most part, but there were a few areas that seemed to have less coverage than others; I didn’t think it was noticeable from a normal viewing distance, just up-close. The color wore well for six and a half hours but was moderately drying after four hours. Anastasia Rage (P, $18.00) is lighter (95% similar). Too Faced Unicorn (P, $21.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Anastasia #9 (Vol. 1) (PiP, ) is darker, glossier (90% similar). MAC Flamingo Road (LE, $21.00) is darker (90% similar). Urban Decay Twitch (P, $18.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar). Milani I Am Cool (P, $6.99) is lighter, warmer, glossier (85% similar). MAC Heroine (P, $19.00) is lighter, warmer, glossier (85% similar). Illamasqua ESP (P, $24.00) is more shimmery, darker (85% similar). Urban Decay Cloud9 (LE, $18.00) is warmer, glossier (85% similar). Urban Decay Pandemonium (DC, $18.00) is darker, glossier (85% similar). Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Rollergirl (DC, $18.00) is lighter, glossier (85% similar). Urban Decay Pandemonium (P, $18.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar). Urban Decay Jawbreaker (DC, $18.00) is darker, glossier (85% similar). Melt Cosmetics By Starlight (P, $19.00) is more muted, cooler, glossier (90% similar). KVD Beauty Ozzy (LE, $21.00) is lighter, glossier (85% similar). Smashbox Violet Riot (P, $21.00) is darker, glossier (90% similar). Urban Decay Crank (P, $18.00) is lighter, warmer (80% similar). ColourPop Be-dazzled (LE, $6.50) is darker, cooler, glossier (80% similar). Makeup Geek Daredevil (P, $12.00) is lighter, glossier (80% similar). Tarte Yaassss (P, $20.00) is lighter, glossier (80% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

MAC Tailored to Tease Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick ($20.00 for 0.17 fl. oz.) is described as a “bright fuchsia.” It’s a medium-dark, fuchsia plum with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had good pigmentation that applied smoothly, but there was a dryness present to the end result that flaked off a little as powdery bits over time. The color wore well for six and a half hours, which was shorter than I’d expect for a deeper shade like this. The formula was, like other shades, drying for me. MAC Quick Sizzle (LE, $19.00) is glossier (90% similar). Too Faced Pitch Perfect (P, $22.00) is glossier (90% similar). NYX Sweet Pink (P, $6.00) is glossier (95% similar). MAC Personal Statement (P, $21.00) is lighter (90% similar). MAC Flat Out Fabulous (P, $19.00) is darker (90% similar). NARS Michiyo (P, $34.00) is brighter, glossier (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Electric Pink (15) (P, $55.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). ColourPop Sundae (LE, $6.50) is more shimmery, lighter, brighter (85% similar). Melt Cosmetics Shady Lady (P, $19.00) is brighter, glossier (85% similar). Urban Decay WSM (P, $18.00) is darker, more muted (85% similar). KVD Beauty Backstage Bambi (DC, $21.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). Makeup Geek Cougar (P, $12.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar). Sephora Tender Love (55) (P, $14.00) is more muted (85% similar). MAC Invite Intrigue (LE, $19.00) is lighter, cooler, glossier (80% similar). MAC Have Your Cake (LE, $19.00) is glossier (85% similar). KVD Beauty Bauhau5 (P, $20.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar). ColourPop Drive In (LE, $6.50) is darker, cooler (80% similar). NARS Never Say Never (P, $27.00) is more shimmery, lighter, more muted (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

FORMULA OVERVIEW | MAC Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick ($20.00 for 0.17 fl. oz.) is pigmented, liquid lipstick formula that dries down to a flat, matte finish that is mostly transfer-proof. They have a runnier mousse-like consistency; it is not quite mousse-like in thickness, but it is not as runny as some liquid lipstick formulas–somewhere in-between there. The formula of these is thicker than their Pro Longwear Lustre Lipcolours (which is like the OG of matte liquid lipstick to me). The lighter shades are the least forgiving and most of them “crack” as soon as they dry down and I move my lips or smile. They don’t flake off in chunks, and most of them fade relatively evenly. I get slight transfer on occasion when drinking anything more than water (e.g. latte), and while a lot of the color will make it through a meal, it will vary depending on the oil-content of your meal. They do respond well to layering or touch-ups after there is an initial layer done. They dry down within thirty seconds to two minutes (darker shades took longer to dry), and I was able to manipulate the color as it was drying down without lifting the color entirely. Some shades appeared streaky during initial application, but once it dried down, most of the streaks disappeared (kind of like nail polish can self-level). I found the formula moderately drying after three to six hours of wear, and it is one of the more drying formulas I’ve tried, personally. They are vanilla-scented but have no discernible taste.

MAC Recollection Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick

MAC Recollection Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick

MAC Recollection Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick

MAC Recollection Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick

MAC Recollection Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick

MAC Recollection Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick

MAC Tailored to Tease Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick

MAC Tailored to Tease Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick

MAC Tailored to Tease Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick

MAC Tailored to Tease Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick

MAC Tailored to Tease Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick

MAC Tailored to Tease Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick